Iowa Finishes Day One At NCAA Championships

May 26, 2009

TOLEDO, OH – The University of Iowa men’s golf team finished the first round of the 30-team NCAA Championships Tuesday, being held at the challenging Inverness Club. The Hawkeyes carded an 18-hole total of 301 (+17) and are tied with seventh-ranked Georgia Tech for 18th place, ahead of 10 of the nation’s top 50 teams including #2 USC, #5 Stanford and #8 Florida. Oklahoma State and Georgia both shot 288 (+4) and share the lead.

After placing fifth in last week’s Southeast Regional, the Iowa Hawkeyes are making their first trip to the NCAA Championships since 1995. Iowa’s roster at this week’s championships is loaded with young talent, with four of the five competitors underclassmen (two freshmen and two sophomores) and the fifth a senior.

Senior Cole Peevler and sophomore Vince India both fired opening rounds of 74 (+3). The two are leading the Hawkeyes and are currently tied for 41st. Barrett Kelpin put together a five-over par 76. The freshman is tied for 75th. Sophomore Brad Hopfinger recorded a 77 (+6) and is tied for 93rd. Additionally, freshman Chris Brant is tied for 139th after carding an 80 (+9).

The tournament is being held at the historic Inverness Club, which is one of Donald Ross’ most distinguished golf courses and home to eight major championships since 1920. Inverness has hosted four U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, a U.S. Amateur Championship and a U.S. Senior Open. The original links were refurbished and lengthened to 7,255 yards by Arthur Hills in 1999.

The tournament will continue tomorrow with 18 more holes of match-play beginning at approximately 6 a.m. (CT). Fans can follow the tournament at golfstatresults.com.

Team Results
1. Oklahoma State 288 (+4)
Georgia 288 (+4)
3. Chattanooga 292 (+8)
4. Washington 293 (+9)
San Diego 293 (+9)
6. Arizona State 294 (+10)
Ohio State 294 (+10)
Tennessee 294 (+10)
9. Michigan 296 (+12)
10. Arkansas 297 (+13)
Duke 297 (+13)
12. Texas A&M 298 (+14)
Northwestern 298 (+14)
Alabama 298 (+14)
15. Illinois 299 (+15)
TCU 299 (+15)
17. UCF 300 (+16)
18. Georgia Tech 301 (+17)
IOWA 301 (+17)
20. Wake Forest 302 (+18)
21. Texas Tech 303 (+19)
22. USC 305 (+21)
Stanford 305 (+21)
24. Oregon 306 (+22)
Virginia 306 (+22)
UCLA 306 (+22)
South Carolina 306 (+22)
28. Texas 308 (+24)
29. Florida 310 (+26)
Arizona 310 (+26)

Individual Results – Par 71 (Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Jon Bowers (Northwestern) 69 (-2)
Scott Langley (Illinois) 69 (-2)
Matt Hill (N.C. State) 69 (-2)
T41. Cole Peevler (UI) 74 (+3)
T41. Vince India (UI) 74 (+3)
T75. Barrett Kelpin (UI) 76 (+5)
T93. Brad Hopfinger (UI) 77 (+6)
T139. Chris Brant (UI) 80 (+9)